Florida Senate warns that intervention by Gov. Rick Scott would be ‘paternalistic’

The sudden shutdown of the Florida House that derailed the 2015 session Tuesday makes it even more difficult for the Legislature’s presiding officers to agree on the framework for a special session. The ugliness between House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner won’t easily subside, and Gov. Rick Scott has already said he would consider calling a special session if the Legislature’s leaders can’t pull it off.

If it’s possible for things in Tallahassee to go from very bad to worse, here’s how: Scott unilaterally calls the Legislature back into special session without any consensus among legislative leaders on how to break their budget impasse.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said that would be a mistake. Speaking to reporters Monday night, before the House went home, Lee said Scott should stay on the sidelines and let lawmakers try to resolve their differences on their own.